Missoula County - Partnership Health Center

Partnership Health Center - History

A Community Effort Right from the Start

Partnership Health Center began as a round table discussion of
Missoula's widely recognized problem of medical indigence. Medical
indigence in Missoula and surrounding rural communities is due more to
the economic landscape of the region, than a shortage of providers. A
large number of residents are described as the 'working poor', and are
either unable to afford health insurance, or work for the many small
businesses prevalent in the area. These residents fall into a coverage
gap between private and public insurance that prevents them from seeking
timely health care. In addition, Missoula also has a relatively
high-priced housing market as compared to wages, leaving many families
unable to pay for health care.

Although a regional health center, access to basic health care is
difficult for many Missoula residents. Missoula County was federally
designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUP) in 1992, and a Dental
Health Professions Shortage Area (DHPSA) in 2000.

The Move to our Current Location

Private physicians, Missoula City-County Health Department, St.
Patrick Hospital, Community Medical Center, joined up with the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation and the U.S. Bureau of Primary Health Care to
start a clinic that would provide low-cost health care. Partnership
Health Center made the most of referral networks, but quickly outgrew its
small site in the Missoula City-County Health Department. With a diverse
base of funding, and strong community support, the current building was
constructed and opened in 1999.

1989--Started as
Partners for Access Pilot Project

1992--Partnership
Health Center received a federal grant and established as a
Federally Qualified Health Center

2008- Acquisition
and renovation of a larger facility located at the old Creamery
building in downtown Missoula.

2009- Dental
clinic's new location at the Creamery building opens and Pharmacy is
expanded at the Alder Street location.

Working Together, We CAN Make Missoula a Healthier Place

Partnership Health Center is a non-profit 510(c)(3), administered
through the Missoula City-County Health Department, and governed by a
Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is made up of health care
professionals and consumer users who volunteer their time to help
Partnership Health Center respond to community needs.